should we be allowed the option to exchange our phones for another one with more gigs?

By Troy, 12 July, 2015

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hello all,
I've been pondering this question for a while and was wanting to get your feedback. This pertains to phones in general. The question is, I have a 16 gig 5s and thinking about upgrading to a phone with more gigs on it. However I'm not able to until my contract ends. The way this would work is you would take your phone to your carier and trade it for the same model phone only with more gigs, so I would take my 5s to either my carier or apple store and exchange it for another 5s either a 32 or 64 which ever I choose. I think this would be helpful because let's say down the road you think to yourself "Darnet! I should of gotten a phone with more gigs on it! now I'm going to have to wait until my contract ends."
I have talked to others that have felt the same way. I'd imagine this type of program would have it's pros and cons and its challenges. What do you all think?

Options

Comments

By Jordan Gallacher on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

I totally agree. I have a 16Gb 5s right now, and I definitely need a bigger one. I am stuck until 2017.

I have a 32 gb ipod touch fifth gen and if a 64 bit came out it would be cool if an ipod owner could exchange to the higher one at no charge:)

By Justin on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

Hi,
I didn't wait till the contract ran out. I actually upgraded to the 5s a year and half or so after I got my 4S in september of 2013. I've used the 5s 64GB since then, but will wait till christmas to upgrade to the whatever the new phone will be. I've said this to all my friends, if you can, wait till the new phone comes out then upgrade. Also, upgrade to what you can afford. If you can only afford a 16GB iPhone, so be it. I personally will upgrade to the new 128 or higher GB iPhone this december. There's no point of upgrading now, due to the fact that the new phone will be released in october or so.
Like I said, if you can afford to spend a little on your next phone with a lot of GB, then do it. But, if you can't then at least get the new phone with as much as your money will allow.
HTH and good luck.

By David on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

Some contracts do allow you to upgrade whenever you like. If your current contract doesn't, then that's between you and your provider.

I certainly don't see any likelihood of Apple themselves allowing an upgrade to the same model phone with more memory at no charge. Perhaps if you get your phone with your contract, some providers might permit that. But again, that's between you and the provider, not Apple.

What would be better is if Apple were to design future phones and devices to permit adding more memory. But I suspect from their marketing perspective, there's no benefit, since people currently seem to just accept that if you want more memory, you have to buy a whole new phone. If the market accepts it, then the supplier's not going to cut off profits by offering something that gives a lower return.

By Roxann Pollard on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

Unfortunately, Apple will not allow such a swap. More memory equals more dollars. This is why you can't just go get more memory without placing your cash on the table. Apple would be shooting themselves in the foot if they allowed this. If you happen to have a contract that allows some version of a trade in, I'm guessing it will still cost you more money for more memory. It's just how it works. Sorry.

By charles on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

Someone wrote that it would be cool to upgrade to a device with more memory at no charge? The subject line says it all.

What would be nice is if iPhones could accept thumb drives as an inexpensive form of mass storage and retrieval, but I doubt if that will happen, either. Hind sight is always 20/20. If you can afford it, buy a phone with as much space as possible. If you can't afford the phone you want, you have a few options: Stay with what you've got or save your money and wait until you can buy what you want.

By Troy on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

In reply to by charles

I have a friend who is also waiting for IPhones to accept thumb drive, while yes that would be cool to have a thumb drive or even an sd card for that matter I don't see that happening, but who knows anything is possible.

By charles on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

In reply to by Troy

Due to the trend in making the phones thin, the size of the necessary port makes the idea very unlikely.

Back on the thread, though, to even think of getting the same model phone with increased storage capacity at no charge is absolutely absurd frim both a business and a reality point of view. Sure, it would be cool to be able to do so, but, as the saying goes, people in Hell want ice water, too. It's just not going to happen.

By Justin on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

I agree. While it is decent to want free upgrades for space on the phones, it's not realistic at all. Personally, go for what you can afford like I said before. If you can afford 128GB, go for it. That way you have loads of space for later use. Personally it is something to think about when purchasing a new phone.

By sockhopsinger on Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 11:05

Go for the most memory you possibly can. Apps won't be getting smaller in size.